21 week check-up; Labor and Delivery Visit

Today was your typical 5 month check-up. The baby was measuring a due date of March 19, but the doctor said that we'll just keep the March 24th because it is only a 5 day difference. I gained 4 pounds ( I thought I would gain more considering how much Halloween candy I ate!), and my belly is measuring where it should be. My AFP results were negative, and the doctor told me that the ultrasound showed the baby's organs look great! I am glad considering a scare we had last Tuesday.

That day I went to 2 stores to grab some things, came home, and was using my laptop. I went to the bathroom, and when I wiped there was blood. I wiped a few more times, and still blood. It wasn't bright red, but more like the color of when you are almost ending your period. This freaked me out because I have not spotted or had any problems with this pregnancy so far. I didn't have any cramping, just spotting. I remembered last week I vaccumed and did laundry, and when I went to the bathroom and wiped, there was a slight pinkish line. There wasn't anymore after that, so I didn't think anything of it. So, I called Labor and Delivery and was told to go in. They monitored the baby (his heartbeat was in the 150's and 160's), checked my cervix (which was closed), and looked inside. The result is that I had a tender area on the outside tip of my cervix, and that's where the spotting was from. I was told there was a streak of blood, but that was it. I was asked if F and I had sex, in which I told them no. I was then asked if I had over-exerted myself in anyway, in which I mentioned that we had been to the mall the day before and we walked around for awhile. They think that maybe I just overdone it by either walking or picking R up. I told the doctor that with this pregnancy, I have noticed that I gets aches and pains easily. I started driving R to school instead of walking down the block because it results in me getting a side cramp. So now I have to take it easy. No more lifting R, or walking too much. I told F, "How am I supposed to go Christmas shopping?". He said I just be out shopping all day on my feet. I don't mind that. I'll avoid anything just to make sure our baby is healthy, and comes out when he is is supposed to.

My next appointment is when I am 24 weeks, and then the appointment after that is the dreaded glucose test at 28 weeks. For some reason, this pregnancy is going by slow for me. Maybe as my due date approaches, I'll think otherwise.

It's A...

BOY!

Frank and I are really excited! We have a hard time deciding on names because we have a lot of boys in our family. After a few days of thinking, we did come up with a name, but we won't disclose this until later. We told R, and it really didn't faze him. He just asked if he had to share his transformers. LOL. On Monday, while R is in school, we plan on registering for baby things. I gave a lot of our baby items away such as the bouncer, swing, crib, etc. because I knew we were'nt planning on having another baby until I graduated from school. I did save ALOT of R's baby clothes, and his stroller. We just need some things. We have picked a theme for the baby. It's the Rainforest Collection by Fisher Price. When I first saw the bouncer and swing, I loved it! I actually had to order our crib set online because the only store that carries it is Walmart, and its usually sold out when they get their shipments in. Luckily I ordered it on Walmart.com they day it came out (nov. 1) and when I checked the next day, they were sold out online! We plan on getting everything ready for the baby in January, after the chaos of the holidays. Well, I'm off to eat some lunch!

17 week check-up

My 17 week prenatal check-up was OK. I gained 5 pounds in 4 weeks, which gives me a total weight gain of 8 pounds for this pregnancy. Not bad, but the nurse practitioner told me to stay away from the fast foods just to be on the safe side. I told her before that I didn't want to gain 40 pounds like I did with R, so she told me to sign up for the diabetes pregnancy class, which shows you how to eat. I still have to call them. Aside from the weight gain, the heartbeat was great, I opted for the flu shot, and had the AFP test done. The most exciting news I have is that we are having an ultrasound on the 29th of this month! I am hoping the baby will be cooperative and we will be able to find out the sex! My gut tells me its a boy just by the way my body looks. I do not look pregnant when looking at my front or behind. That's how I was with our son. F thinks its a boy. Well, we will see on the 29th! I'm bummed that R can't go with us because of his age, but we are planning on doing the 4D ultrasound and planning to bring him with us. Honestly, I am hoping for a girl, but I would love having another boy.

My belly does not seem to be as big as I would have imagined it because this is my second child. I have a feeling I will pop out later in the pregnancy. The nurse practitioner also mentioned that my uterus is measuring where it should be, so I don't have any concerns. Below is me at 17 weeks. Don't mind the rolls. LOL.

ETA: 3:48 pm 10/19

I forgot to mention that I have felt the baby moving already. I think it started last week, but I wasn't too sure. It's really subtle but I feel it. Last night I had F touch my belly, putting slight pressure on it, and he felt the baby kick. I got all giddy knowing that there is more proof that I have this little person growing inside me!

15 weeks 2 days

Time sure does fly! I have another prenatal appointment in 2 weeks and I can't wait because 2 weeks after that, we can find out the sex! I am hoping for a girl, but the way my body is I feel that Im going to have a boy. We will soon find out! Its either one or the other! I rented a fetal doppler from bellybeats.com and received it today. Instantly, we heard the heartbeat, which was fast and strong. According to the old wives tale, if the heartbeat is over 150, its a girl. If lower, than its a boy. I wont be buying any girl or boy things based on that, cause that would be ridiculous. It's just fun to do in the meantime.

My morning sickness has subsided (FINALLY). I only throw up when I eat greasy foods suchs as pizza or french fries. Honestly, I shouldn't be eating that stuff anyway! My nausea comes and goes, but I found out how to control it. Sucking on lemon wedges are my lifesaver. I need to remember to carry some with me if I am out for a long time. I am also trying to keep my weight down by walking Ryan to school in the morning. Sometimes I walk in the afternoon, but lately its been so hot that I drive. I have noticed that since I have entered the second trimester, my energy has gotten better. Yet, I get a little tired putting away laundry and vaccumming. Sitting on the floor cross-legged is not possible anymore. My lower abdomen starts to ache, and I have to get up. After I get up it goes away. Lately, I have been getting round ligament pain from my uterus stretching, but its just dull aches.

I still havent felt the baby move yet. Maybe when I get closer to 20 weeks. I know he or she moves because I heard it when we were listening for the heartbeat. I just can't wait to feel it in my belly.

I guess my next update is in 2 weeks after my appointment. I'll try to post some belly pics soon!

13 Week Check-up

I am currently 13 weeks and 4 days, and let me tell you, my morning sickness has not shown any mercy of letting up. I hope it ends next week. I have read that women who have morning sickness, will less likely miscarry. Even so, throwing up at any time of day is horrible, especially when it comes out of your nose (sorry TMI, I know). Also, I've been taking TUMS to ease my indigestion, and it seems to work. I try not to depend on them though. Today at my appointment, I gained another 2.5 pounds in 3 weeks. My doctor said my weight gain was actually pretty good. I have gained a total of 5 pounds in my first trimester. This is not counting the weight I had put on before I found out I was pregnant. F and R went into the room with me and we were able to hear the heartbeat through the doppler! The doctor said it was a good strong heartbeat. After R heard it, he wanted to know how come he couldn't see the baby. I guess when I start showing more, he will get it. Now that I've heard the heartbeat, Im contemplating on whether to rent one of those dopplers from the internet. I had one with Ryan, but I remember checking to hear for the heartbeat almost every single day. I don't want to worry myself if I can't find it. I guess I'll think about it more.

I did ask my doctor about what to do with morning sickness, hoping she would give me a prescription to control it. Instead, she told me to switch from prenatal vitamins to the Flinstones vitamins, until my morning sickness is gone. My next appointment is in 4 weeks, in which I will have the AFP test done, and then 2 weeks after that we will go to radiology for the long awaited ultrasound to check the baby's organs and sex! We can't wait.

Maternity Clothes Shopping

Now, that I am close to 10 weeks, it seems like my size 9 pants have shrunk! I feel so uncomfortable in my fitted shirts and regular jeans. A couple weeks ago, I went through an old box of maternity clothes when I was pregnant with R. I had jeans from Motherhood, stretchy capris, and some maternity shirts. I had a lot of dress pants, but I don't need them since I am not working. Today F, R, and I went shopping at Old Navy and Motherhood, and for $60, I bought on 3 shirts, 3 stretchy pants, and 2 shorts. Not bad huh? With my old preggo clothes and the new ones, I will be finally be comfortable. I also picked up some of those preggie drops from Motherhood to see if they would help with my morning sickness. I will try to suck on one before getting out of bed, and give me some relief. After shopping, we stopped to eat some chinese food. It was so delicious, but made me gasy. We weren't out for too long, and by the time we got home I was so tired. I can't wait until my first trimester is over....Just 2 more weeks.

9 Week Check-up

I had a physical last Monday, and saw my OB doctor for the first time yesterday. On Monday, the nurse practitioner did her normal routine, while she and I had a laugh. She said I looked familiar, and I told her its because she removed my IUD back in June. She said, WOW! that was fast! I think she treated me when I was pregnant with R because her name was in his baby book. She is such a nice person. Anyway, we tried to hear the heartbeat, but she said I was at the stage in pregnancy, where I may or may not hear the heartbeat. So she did a trans vaginal U/S and I saw the little one. The heart was beating and he or she wiggled around like a little glo-worm. I was amazed at how much the baby has grown in three weeks! I was able to get the coolest ultrasound.

Yesterday, I saw my OB doctor and she is great! I told her about how I can't keep milk down and she told me to take calcium pills until my nausea lessens. I have only gained 2 lbs since my last appointment, so I guess that's in the norm. I'm glad because I was getting worried about much weight I would gain. Overall, she said the baby looks fine. There were a few changes though. Instead of 10 weeks, 4 days, I am 9 weeks, 4 days, so the doctor changed my due date to March 24. I was told that the ultrasounds are more accurate in the first trimester. I am now waiting to hear when my next appointment date is, which should be in about 1 to 4 weeks. Kaiser has a new appointment system now where they make the appointments for you. I don't like that you can't make your own appointments, but what can I do?

As I close, I wanted to leave you with belly pic. I didn't start showing with R until I was 14 weeks! In this picture, I am 8 weeks 5 days.